South Africa’s BRICS Summit Invites 67 Nations, Sidelines France

South Africa, the upcoming host for the BRICS Summit, announced on Monday that 67 nations are invited to attend the forthcoming meeting.

Notably, France, despite expressing interest in June, wasn’t invited.

South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor stated during an online press conference discussing summit preparations, “President Cyril Ramaphosa, with unanimous support from BRICS member countries, has extended invitations to 67 leaders from Africa and the Global South.”

Pandor highlighted that these invitees hail from various continents and regions.

So far, 34 delegates have confirmed attendance.

Additionally, Ramaphosa has invited other prominent figures, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and African Union Commission’s President, Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The summit will be attended by heads of state from Brazil, India, China, and South Africa.

Russia, on the other hand, will be represented by its Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov.

South Africa garnered attention earlier this year for inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite an international arrest warrant against him related to alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

However, it was later revealed that Putin would be participating virtually.

South Africa has expressed a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, urging dialogue and diplomacy.

This neutral position is influenced by Moscow’s strategic, political, and economic role in parts of Africa and historical ties.

Russia has historically supported anti-colonial and liberation movements in the 20th century and opposed the apartheid regime.

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